MIRNY (Kirov region), October 30./TASS/. The use of force without securing approval of Damascus is unacceptable, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Friday in reply to the question about the possibility of a US ground operation.

"The issue of the use of force in any shape or form without consent of Damascus is unacceptable for us," the diplomat said.

"This situation has continued for a long time, and it is one of the topics on which we fundamentally disagree with the United States," he added, noting that instead of complicating the situation further, the US should jointly with Russia look for ways for a Syrian settlement.